How Are These Areas? Feedback Please! (Seattle, Bellevue: rent, crime, homes)

[BurnInTheMil]

Happy 4th Everyone!

I have been offered a promotion within my company, and have a choice of a few cities to move to (Currently living in the Bay Area, CA). Seattle is one of the areas, and we very interested in this area. My wife and I are form KY, but have lived in California for about a year and a half now, and we have visited friends in the Seattle area, multiple times. Each time we come, we enjoy it and my wife loves it. We both LIKE the rainy days/season and the colder weather doesn't bother us at all. As far as work, I will be traveling around the Seattle area (all towns/cities) going to different sites daily to do what I do, my company only requires me to live within 50 miles of Seattle. We prefer to be away from the city itself, so the suburbs & further out towns are preferable. My wife works from home, so no worries for her.

More than likely will rent for the first year closer to the city and if we can tell we like it enough for long term, we would like to buy. I've noticed a lot of more affordable options (to buy) in the outlying areas that I will list below, and have done research on crime in the areas as well, and seems to be pretty decent overall. However, feedback from locals is always a great thing to gain. We again prefer a more laid back, relaxing lifestyle compared to being in the city, we grew up in more rural area. Being outdoors, laying on a hammock outside, relaxing in the yard, etc..Please let me know opinions and such! Thanks in advance

Buying budget would be a max of $450-$500K. Ideally like to be around $350K-$450K.

Enumclaw
Kent
Auburn
Renton
Covington
West Federal Way (I believe is supposed to be the nice part?)

Any other areas that could be a fit are welcome!

[CrazyDonkey]

West Federal Way is the nicer part (closer to Dash Point State Park). For Kent and Auburn, however, look east.

Note that going from south King County to north King County, or vice versa, on either I-5 or I-405, is an utterly complete royal pain in the you-know-what, unless driving well off-peak (like 5 in the morning or 10 at night).

[BurnInTheMil]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

West Federal Way is the nicer part (closer to Dash Point State Park). For Kent and Auburn, however, look east.

Note that going from south King County to north King County, or vice versa, on either I-5 or I-405, is an utterly complete royal pain in the you-know-what, unless driving well off-peak (like 5 in the morning or 10 at night).

Thanks for the tip

Seeing I drive around San Francisco & San Jose right now, traffic doesn't bother me. I mean I hate it, but I'm used to it being here. Luckily I'm usually up and going around 5-6 and off by 2-3.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by Greg10556

Thanks for the tip

Seeing I drive around San Francisco & San Jose right now, traffic doesn't bother me. I mean I hate it, but I'm used to it being here. Luckily I'm usually up and going around 5-6 and off by 2-3.

With those hours (I work 6-2:30) you will have free wheeling in the morning, some traffic but not terrible in the afternoon. As long as the commute suits you, the farther out you get the better home for the money. In the cities you mentioned you do have to be selective to avoid the higher crime areas, they all have good and less desirable parts.

I would add Black Diamond and Maple Valley to the top of the list.

[homesinseattle]

Hi Greg. Welcome (almost) to town. Consider Maple Valley and Snohomish, in different directions from town. They are both neat communities and potentially within your price range.

[BurnInTheMil]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Hi Greg. Welcome (almost) to town. Consider Maple Valley and Snohomish, in different directions from town. They are both neat communities and potentially within your price range.

I actually came across Maple Valley after I posted this, just scrolling around google maps. After a quick search on Trulia, there are definitely some options in the price range. Thanks for the info!

[BurnInTheMil]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

With those hours (I work 6-2:30) you will have free wheeling in the morning, some traffic but not terrible in the afternoon. As long as the commute suits you, the farther out you get the better home for the money. In the cities you mentioned you do have to be selective to avoid the higher crime areas, they all have good and less desirable parts.

I would add Black Diamond and Maple Valley to the top of the list.

Good to know. Like everywhere else, of course I expect good & bad areas, I'll make sure to examine crime maps thoroughly as well.

Thanks for the info

[homesinseattle]

My pleasure, good luck with the move.

[BurnInTheMil]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

My pleasure, good luck with the move.

Thank you! Still a bit to figure stuff out and make sure Seattle is the area we want to be. I know it's where the wife wants to be, so there's that!

[Ira500]

Enumclaw is a little out there. Feels like a far away western town. and takes forever to get anywhere. I live in Renton. Renton can't be praised or dismissed, because some areas are much nicer than others. But generally speaking, it's close enough to Seattle or Bellevue that the daily commutes people do aren't too horrible. I wouldn't rule out Burien or Normandy Park either.